James Laput traded to Magnolia; Terrafirma acquires Kyle Pascual, Justin Melton

James Laput is joining the Hotshots for the Governors' Cup. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The tallest player in the recent PBA Draft has been traded away.

Terrafirma reworked its roster on Thursday, sending 6-foot-10 beanpole James Laput to Magnolia in a trade that was approved by the PBA trade committee.

The Hotshots, in the process, shipped Justin Melton and Kyle Pascual to the Dyip.

Terrafirma used the eighth overall pick that San Miguel included in the trade package for CJ Perez for Laput as it looks to shore up its frontline.

But Laput only played sparingly for the Dyip, only averaging a shade under 10 and a half minutes per game in 10 outings, tallying averages of 2.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.1 steals.

He is now joining Magnolia for the Governors' Cup, joining a stacked big man rotation led by Ian Sangalang and Rafi Reavis.

On the other hand, Pascual and Melton saw their minutes dwindling too for the Hotshots especially when they began employing a small ball lineup that saw combo guard Paul Lee moving up to the small forward spot even before Calvin Abueva came along.

Pascual is making a return to the Terrafirma franchise that drafted him 24th overall in the 2014 draft.

Melton, meanwhile, is moving to another PBA team after being with Magnolia ever since he was drafted 13th overall in the 2013 draft.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno